President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has revealed that sixteen out of the twenty-three airlines that operated at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) prior to its closure have, again, commenced flights to and from Accra.
According to him, currently, a total of 10,061 passengers have been tested at the KIA.
The president also revealed that out of the number, some 26 persons have tested positive for COVID-19.
“In spite of the requirement that all passengers must be in possession of a negative PCR test result upon their arrival in Ghana, a test which should have been conducted not more than 72 hours before the scheduled departure from the country of origin ….. Let us pause for a moment and imagine what would have happened if these 26 positives had not been detected, and had been allowed to mingle with the population”, said President Akufo-Addo.
Commenting on the USD$150 charge for the mandatory COVID-19 test at the airport, which many have criticized, the President outlined how cost-effective it is as compared to the previous measures that passengers had to go though.
He said: “Even though the cost has been criticised in certain quarters, the value of the test in its speed, accuracy and savings for passengers, who no longer have to bear the cost of the 14-day mandatory quarantine in hotels, has been clearly established.”
He further assured that: “As President of the Republic, I will do everything in my power to protect you and stop the importation of the virus into our country, or limit and contain its spread. This is my solemn commitment to you.”
